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We have one of those, too...5.5 years old...always has to be hunting, working, or playing...thankfully she has always fallen asleep instantly in the car, whether a 5 minute trip or 5 hours. And also an older guy...
Would like to see photos of your crate in the wagon!
I seriously just registered now to say THANK YOU for this picture. I am considering a 2021 E450 Wagon primarily so that I can throw two dogs in the back (a 90 pound GSD and a 60 pound mutt). This is the best picture or video in existence to provide context for how that would work. Seems like the two dogs fit in there perfect!? Also saw your post recommending https://www.travall.com/, which is greatly appreciated. Any chance you own / have used the Guard and/or Divider?
How has the car been? Any issues? Again, I am looking at pre-owned '21s with mileage below 40K. I am nervous about the long-term maintenance costs, but I am sold on the utility, especially for my use case.
thanks again
My pleasure! They are (well, were...the older one passed recently) 65 and 80 lbs, and did fit perfectly either sitting up or laying down in the cargo area. Many comfortable 4+ hour trips to our place in the mountains.
The car has been great! It is a lease that I was planning to replace soon with a W214, but rear AC is no longer an option in the US, and we use it all the time for the pups...especially on those long trips. So will most likely keep it after the lease is up. It is a 2022, however...there were some issues with the 2021 model EQ systems...either teething problems with the new tech or COVID parts and production issues.
I had the Travall guard in an X5 and thought it was extremely solid and well engineered. Fit perfectly to existing hardware in the car so no modifications, and with no rattles for 4+ years we had it in the vehicle. Wife didn't like looking through it in the rear view so haven't bought one for subsequent vehicles.
Last edited by Alan Smithee; Aug 15, 2024 at 02:00 PM.
Inthecan, I have a '21 All Terrain. Leased it early in its roll out and, as Smithee says, there were some early problems with the 48 volt battery system (MBhad to replace mine twice in the first few months of my lease). I feel pretty confident in saying that MB did eventually get its arms around the problem, enough so that I bought out my lease earlier this year and now own it outright. Other than those (extremely aggravating) battery failures early on, the car has been flawless and is a dream to drive. I'm at just under 25,000 now and have been fault-free for well over three years.
P.S. - I should add that those early mild hybrid issues rolled over into the 22 models as well. Back in the day, there were all kinds of reports (complaints) about the system but today it's largely quiet.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by Longroof45
Beautiful dogs!
Inthecan, I have a '21 All Terrain. Leased it early in its roll out and, as Smithee says, there were some early problems with the 48 volt battery system (MBhad to replace mine twice in the first few months of my lease). I feel pretty confident in saying that MB did eventually get its arms around the problem, enough so that I bought out my lease earlier this year and now own it outright. Other than those (extremely aggravating) battery failures early on, the car has been flawless and is a dream to drive. I'm at just under 25,000 now and have been fault-free for well over three years.
P.S. - I should add that those early mild hybrid issues rolled over into the 22 models as well. Back in the day, there were all kinds of reports (complaints) about the system but today it's largely quiet.
Now you tell me🤣! But MB does seem to have finally figured it out (thank goodness). It was a rough roll out and it wasn't helped one bit by Musk's takeover of the battery supplier or the chip shortage. A perfect storm.
Now you tell me🤣! But MB does seem to have finally figured it out (thank goodness). It was a rough roll out and it wasn't helped one bit by Musk's takeover of the battery supplier or the chip shortage. A perfect storm.
I think it's still fine to buy the first year, at least you have a 4 year warranty but should probably buy the extended warranty as some problems don't crop up til the 4th or 5th year like those M274 piston/wrist pin issues. Just be ready to dump it if it turns out to be a bad model after the 7th year.
I seriously just registered now to say THANK YOU for this picture. I am considering a 2021 E450 Wagon primarily so that I can throw two dogs in the back (a 90 pound GSD and a 60 pound mutt). This is the best picture or video in existence to provide context for how that would work. Seems like the two dogs fit in there perfect!? Also saw your post recommending https://www.travall.com/, which is greatly appreciated. Any chance you own / have used the Guard and/or Divider?
How has the car been? Any issues? Again, I am looking at pre-owned '21s with mileage below 40K. I am nervous about the long-term maintenance costs, but I am sold on the utility, especially for my use case.
thanks again
I have 2 GSDs, who use the above crate (2-sectioned). One a 90lbs male and another a 5-month old 35lbs girl…..fits both like a charm, on long drives. The crate itself is a UK-built Aluminum one, and is custom made for the rear hatch area of the E-wagon, and allows all 5 seating positions inside the car, to be used to seat people. The steel hatch area contraption, that separates the hatch area from the rest, and also allows a cover of the hatch area, can be left in place, with this crate.
Last edited by Roweraay; Aug 16, 2024 at 01:28 PM.
The early problems with the ‘21 model year, was connected to Covid related supply disruptions of key components related to the 42V battery system. The components themselves were in production for YEARS prior to that, in the S-class etc. Mercedes caught the issue, and resolved it subsequently, but that year did take a hit because of that.
My ‘22 never had even a whisper of a problem (of any kind) in 2 years of ownership, with at least one 5000+mile round trip included into the ownership period.
I have a manual transmission 2019 Honda Fit, which I consider as a reliability benchmark with zero problems, EVER, and the E450 matches the Honda Fit in perfect reliability !
Thank you all for the responses (and apologies for reviving a dead thread off-topic; I wanted to DM originally but don't see any option to; is there such a thing?)
@Roweraay -- I saw that crate (might have been your previous post) but I figured a) it would be too tight for two dogs and b) it would be an ordeal to take in and out all the time. Do they have room to turn around in there? Do you just use the crate to store items when the dogs aren't in there (e.g. a grocery run) or do you take it in and out? Or do you have a separate Benz for non-dog trips LOL.
I appreciate folks' takes on reliability (@Alan Smithee@Longroof45 ). I didn't know anything about MB and, honestly, it is shocking the quality issues I've read about (not specifically on the w213 wagon). The hybrid battery thing actually connects some dots for me to some lemon title wagons for sale I've seen that mentioned a battery issue (another mentioned a door rattle). I've gotten the sense that, if money is an object, then MB is not a car that you should own off warranty. But I haven't seen any other vehicle that checks all the boxes for me and so haven't been able to walk away! Just been spinning on if I am going to take a gamble or not. Honestly, if it was just my car, I probably would (being dumb and all) but this would be a family/joint car. The wife and I have 20 years of Japanese cars between us (10 x 2) with ZERO ISSUES on either. Ten years problem free is my benchmark (it was my hope/expectation with my current car that has been met). I have discovered the Fidelity extended warranty through these forums, but that will add another $4k-$7k (depending on deductible) beyond the purchase price for six years of coverage (inclusive of remaining factory warranty + 1 year CPO).
Would love to hear from any other long-term '17-'22 wagon owners. I like the look of the estate wagon better, but I figured touch-screen infotainment (mbux) + Air Body Control + mild hybrid + improved driver assistance made the '21 a better choice.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by inthecan
Thank you all for the responses (and apologies for reviving a dead thread off-topic; I wanted to DM originally but don't see any option to; is there such a thing?)
@Roweraay -- I saw that crate (might have been your previous post) but I figured a) it would be too tight for two dogs and b) it would be an ordeal to take in and out all the time. Do they have room to turn around in there? Do you just use the crate to store items when the dogs aren't in there (e.g. a grocery run) or do you take it in and out? Or do you have a separate Benz for non-dog trips LOL.
I appreciate folks' takes on reliability (@Alan Smithee@Longroof45 ). I didn't know anything about MB and, honestly, it is shocking the quality issues I've read about (not specifically on the w213 wagon). The hybrid battery thing actually connects some dots for me to some lemon title wagons for sale I've seen that mentioned a battery issue (another mentioned a door rattle). I've gotten the sense that, if money is an object, then MB is not a car that you should own off warranty. But I haven't seen any other vehicle that checks all the boxes for me and so haven't been able to walk away! Just been spinning on if I am going to take a gamble or not. Honestly, if it was just my car, I probably would (being dumb and all) but this would be a family/joint car. The wife and I have 20 years of Japanese cars between us (10 x 2) with ZERO ISSUES on either. Ten years problem free is my benchmark (it was my hope/expectation with my current car that has been met). I have discovered the Fidelity extended warranty through these forums, but that will add another $4k-$7k (depending on deductible) beyond the purchase price for six years of coverage (inclusive of remaining factory warranty + 1 year CPO).
Would love to hear from any other long-term '17-'22 wagon owners. I like the look of the estate wagon better, but I figured touch-screen infotainment (mbux) + Air Body Control + mild hybrid + improved driver assistance made the '21 a better choice.
Thanks again
Nothing compares to the reliability of Asian cars: Japanese or Korean.
When my 2019 E450 came off lease during Covid, December 2021 I bought it. The next year, December 2024 before the original warranty ran out I bought an extended 3 year, 75,000 extended warranty from Mercedes Benz. It is bumper to bumper, no deductible and the only exclusions are wear and tear items. It cost me $2200.
I do not know where you are getting quotes of $4k to $7K for an extended warranty. That is ridiculously high.
Nothing compares to the reliability of Asian cars: Japanese or Korean.
When my 2019 E450 came off lease during Covid, December 2021 I bought it. The next year, December 2024 before the original warranty ran out I bought an extended 3 year, 75,000 extended warranty from Mercedes Benz. It is bumper to bumper, no deductible and the only exclusions are wear and tear items. It cost me $2200.
I do not know where you are getting quotes of $4k to $7K for an extended warranty. That is ridiculously high.
I haven't done much research yet on the legitness of the Fidelity warranty, but you get four more years for around the cost of two more from MB's CPO extension.
Last edited by inthecan; Aug 18, 2024 at 09:05 PM.
I haven't done much research yet on the legitness of the Fidelity warranty, but you get four more years for around the cost of two more from MB's CPO extension.
With fidelity, the prices increase with each 5k miles on the odometer and on Jan 1 each year. The warranty begins the day you purchase it unlike MB's ELW which begins when the 4yr/50k miles end.
I haven't done much research yet on the legitness of the Fidelity warranty, but you get four more years for around the cost of two more from MB's CPO extension.
I would never consider an extended warranty from a third party.
Extended limited warranties from Mercedes Benz, range from the mid $2500 to over $6000 for the same coverage: the difference is the dealer mark up or what is usually called PROFIT
The standard is 3 years, for a total of 7 years, original of 4 years + 3 years. You can get either 75,000 miles or 100,000 miles. (75,000 miles was more than enough for me)
I and many others on this forum have purchased an extended warranty from Jeff Jackson, Mercedes Benz of Louisville. Jeff is extremely easy to work with: no haggle
As I posted, the 3 year extended warranty, 75,000 miles in December 2022 on my 2019 E450 with 31,000 miles was $2200.
The wife and I have 20 years of Japanese cars between us (10 x 2) with ZERO ISSUES on either. Ten years problem free is my benchmark (it was my hope/expectation with my current car that has been met). I have discovered the Fidelity extended warranty through these forums, but that will add another $4k-$7k (depending on deductible) beyond the purchase price for six years of coverage (inclusive of remaining factory warranty + 1 year CPO).
They're not that bad if you don't take it to the dealer for repairs outside of warranty. Check the extended warranty subforum for contact info for Jeff Jackson at MB in Louisville. You can get 2 extra years of CPO coverage for 3 years total on a used car. While the Fidelity one is good, the MB one is considered better and cheaper but it doesn't last as long.
@Roweraay -- I saw that crate (might have been your previous post) but I figured a) it would be too tight for two dogs and b) it would be an ordeal to take in and out all the time. Do they have room to turn around in there? Do you just use the crate to store items when the dogs aren't in there (e.g. a grocery run) or do you take it in and out? Or do you have a separate Benz for non-dog trips LOL.
One of those equal sized sections is occupied by my working-line big, lean, muscular 90lbs GSD male - Kaiser - who’s pictured above. Sofia, the princess (who is also a working line Sable GSD) will eventually grow into filling the second section. No problem at all, during a 5000 mile round-trip, with the dog (the princess was not yet born, when that trip was made). When the dogs are not in there, the sections can be used to store/lock articles or used to transport grocery items. Or if only one dog is in there, the other section can be used to store things.
I can take the crate out by myself and put it back in. I think it weighs around 50lbs or so, especially since it is made of Aluminum…..Steel would have made it really heavy.
Last edited by Roweraay; Aug 19, 2024 at 01:34 PM.
With fidelity, the prices increase with each 5k miles on the odometer and on Jan 1 each year. The warranty begins the day you purchase it unlike MB's ELW which begins when the 4yr/50k miles end.
Between 10k-15K miles, below are the Fidelity mileage based pricing tiers. Pricing increases each mileage based pricing tier, so you always want to be in the lowest possible.
Between 10k-15K miles, below are the Fidelity mileage based pricing tiers. Pricing increases each mileage based pricing tier, so you always want to be in the lowest possible.
Hi Trenton @Highline-Autos.com . Thanks for the info.
Are you able to do a custom price over the phone versus what pricing is available on the site linked above (FactoryProtect.com (ratessys.com))? I don't mean "a lower price for the same thing", but if a car has four years of warranty remaining (e.g. 1 year factory + 1 year CPO + 2 years CPO extension) then can you offer the 72 month warranty for less knowing that the first 48 months wouldn't even be used? It would really just be the additional two years. Or would the buyer just need to wait four years then buy the additional two (at a much higher price than a 24 month plan originally cost, I assume)?
Thank you
Hi Trenton @Highline-Autos.com . Thanks for the info.
Are you able to do a custom price over the phone versus what pricing is available on the site linked above (FactoryProtect.com (ratessys.com))? I don't mean "a lower price for the same thing", but if a car has four years of warranty remaining (e.g. 1 year factory + 1 year CPO + 2 years CPO extension) then can you offer the 72 month warranty for less knowing that the first 48 months wouldn't even be used? It would really just be the additional two years. Or would the buyer just need to wait four years then buy the additional two (at a much higher price than a 24 month plan originally cost, I assume)?
Thank you
The site you're referencing is just another retailer's website, not Fidelity themselves. But no, the customizability for coverage terms does not exist. It is most difficult lining up the best value of extended warranty coverage beyond CPO coverage when you have so much over lap. My suggestion would be to forgo the CPO and purchase your total desired of extended warranty coverage while mileage and rates are lowest from Fidelity.
Trenton O. Gibson tgibson@highline-autos.com Highline Autos Direct: 602.909.9216 Office: 480.348.0777
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